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Along with the 2 cups of puppy food we feed him a week. I know he can't be hungry....this can't be healthy......anyone herd of this or know of something I can try?
Location: The Frenchie Farm, Where We Grow 'em Big!
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It's normal for dogs to eat things off the ground. You just have to keep a mindful eye on your little one. My dogs love wrappers. They like the sound it makes and if there was food residue on it, bonus! I have to dig and retrieve everytime! So, when I go for walks, I have to be very mindful of what's on the ground.
Is he swallowing these rocks? If so that's going to cause an obstruction if it hasn't already.
So far I'm pretty sure i've been able to catch him every time he tries to eat one......he runs away from me when he knows i'm going to take the rock away that he has in his mouth so i'm chasing him around the yard constantly....I just can't get him to get his pugy little face out of the rocks! But yes, I am worried that I won't be able to catch every single rock and that he might swallow it.......he's a quick little guy.
Eating rocks (pica) is a problem for some dogs. Pica can be caused by a nutritional deficit, boredom, anxiety...no one really knows exactly why dogs eat things that aren't food. In addition to the potential for digestive problems, eating rocks can also prematurely damage the teeth, so it's worth trying to stop your dog from eating rocks.
However, chasing him around trying to take the rocks away isn't going to help stop the behavior. You've turned it into a game. He picks up a rock, you chase him around....WHAT FUN!! He's getting lots of attention from you every time he puts a rock in his mouth, so what's he gonna do when he's bored or lonely? Eat a rock!
First thing to do if you haven't already is to get a vet check to make sure there's nothing else wrong.
Second, give him lots of exercise. Walk him, play with him, get him tired out.
Third, when he picks up a rock, distract him with something he likes better. You want to teach him to trade rocks for good stuff that YOU control. Try small pieces of fat-free cheese, bits of hot dog, whatever he really loves and doesn't get very often. When he picks up a rock, offer the treat. When he drops the rock, tell him he's a good boy. Offer him a toy, like a kong, instead. Reward the behavior you want and ignore the behavior you don't want. If you keep at it, he'll learn that rocks don't bring him rewards.
Keep in mind that this behavior is ingrained and reinforced, so you won't change it overnight.
Eating rocks (pica) is a problem for some dogs. Pica can be caused by a nutritional deficit, boredom, anxiety...no one really knows exactly why dogs eat things that aren't food. In addition to the potential for digestive problems, eating rocks can also prematurely damage the teeth, so it's worth trying to stop your dog from eating rocks.
However, chasing him around trying to take the rocks away isn't going to help stop the behavior. You've turned it into a game. He picks up a rock, you chase him around....WHAT FUN!! He's getting lots of attention from you every time he puts a rock in his mouth, so what's he gonna do when he's bored or lonely? Eat a rock!
First thing to do if you haven't already is to get a vet check to make sure there's nothing else wrong.
Second, give him lots of exercise. Walk him, play with him, get him tired out.
Third, when he picks up a rock, distract him with something he likes better. You want to teach him to trade rocks for good stuff that YOU control. Try small pieces of fat-free cheese, bits of hot dog, whatever he really loves and doesn't get very often. When he picks up a rock, offer the treat. When he drops the rock, tell him he's a good boy. Offer him a toy, like a kong, instead. Reward the behavior you want and ignore the behavior you don't want. If you keep at it, he'll learn that rocks don't bring him rewards.
Keep in mind that this behavior is ingrained and reinforced, so you won't change it overnight.
That makes a lot of sense, I will definitly try that! Thanks!
Is he swallowing these rocks? If so that's going to cause an obstruction if it hasn't already.
That's what I'd thought. I've had to have surgery on a terrier that had eaten multi colored plastic. And hubby - right before we started dating - had a bassett that ate rocks and had surgery which she didn't recover from and he lost her.
Especially with puppies, you have to be so very careful of every single thing around them.
I have the same problem with my pup, except she goes nuts for everything: mulch, twigs, sticks, rocks, grass, plants, dirt, mud, leaves.... I too worry about obstructions from indigestibles or splinters, etc, so I have to be vigilant every time we go out. It's so tiring to supervise her every move non-stop ... but she's so worth it.
I've tried distracting her with toys and even treats, but it's as though nothing else exists when she's found the perfect patch of dirt or twig or whatever she found to chew on. Is this something pups outgrow?? I don't recall my previous dog having as bad a problem with this as a pup.
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... but she's so worth it. 
I don't recall my previous dog having as bad a problem with this as a pup.
